​
Marie LaForme 

Provides specialized instruction and services to meet the educational needs of students with visual impairments in the Yukon Territory.

​​Marie.LaForme@yukon.ca

Vision Resource Teacher

The Vision Resource Teacher is a specialist teacher with training in the education of blind and visually impaired students. This teacher provides support to blind and low vision students. This teacher also provides training to educators at all grade levels in the areas of aids, equipment, program modification and other services.

Department of Education’s Vision Resource Teacher is a member of interdisciplinary educational teams, and provide a range of services (i.e., consultation, assessment, programming, training, community liaising, etc.) to support students within the educational setting. 

The role of the Vision Resource Teacher in Yukon schools includes: 
  • Providing direct instruction to students and developing programming within the Expanded Core Curriculum which can include: training in assistive technology and optical devices, visual efficiency skills, recreation opportunities, life skills and self-advocacy.  
  • Provide Functional Vision, Learning Media and Cortical Vision Impairment Range assessments  
  • Provide indirect service to schools by sharing information regarding: 
    • Optometry and Ophthalmology reports 
    • Assistive technology for Blind and Low vision students 
    • teaching strategies/accommodations for Blind and Low vision students. ​
  • Offering awareness workshops and classroom presentations regarding vision impairments and its educational implications.
  • Consulting with parents, principals, teachers and resource/support personnel regarding programming needs and student support.
  • Assisting with the development of the Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Student Learning Plans (SLPs) and Behaviour Support Plans (BSP).
  • Connecting families to programs available for visually impaired students.
  • Providing information on Learning media (e.g. Braille, Large Print etc.).
  • Providing consultation regarding individualized programming.
  • Providing recommendations for environmental adjustments for the student in the school. 
  • Providing large print or braille texts, supplementary materials, educational, aids, and equipment needed by the visually impaired student, and the classroom teacher.   

Resources

Parents and/or guardians are encouraged to contact their child’s classroom teacher to discuss any concerns or questions about their child’s learning and development